Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Who Knew?

Sometimes, my doctor says, a change is as good as a rest. And sometimes, the Universe has plans for me I could not, in my wildest dreams, ever have conjured up.

A month ago, I was contemplating Christmas and what I would serve for dinner. Two weeks into that month, Graham received word of a new position...in Williams Lake.

And today, after two weeks of tremendous excitement, anticipation and research into the Cariboo-Chilcotin area, I find I will be moving North into the interior of BC.

For an Island girl, used to the tempering breezes of Ocean all around, this will be a change in temperature, to begin. The mean temperature in Williams Lake is -10C for January...and during our recent cold snap, the temperatures there were closer to -17C. This will mean zone changes for me, as a gardener who has gardened on the much milder coast all my life.

Yet Williams Lake's flower is the Lilac...one of my favourite shrubs of all time. And I hear Rudbeckia and Echinacea does very well. There will be others I look forward to knowing, for their Northern hardiness.

There will be different varieties of wildlife from what I am accustomed to. There are Moose, Elk, Cariboo, Grizzly Bear, Wolves...and the Spirit Bear lives close to where I will be.

There are myriad Lakes and the Fraser River runs close by. Fishing is world renowned...and it is the home of the Williams Lake Stampede, huge ranches, lumber and mining. Williams Lake is the hub of the Northern Interior.

I think, perhaps, I may have a chance to manifest what I have always dreamed of having...a tiny guesthouse. A Bed and Breakfast, with produce grown in my own garden. With perhaps the stewardship of a Forest nearby, and Water not far away.

Along with the euphoria of a New Adventure...comes the sense of loss. This home and garden mean much to me...two weeks ago, I thought we were here for a long time. And Ocean will be three hours driving away, instead of just down the road.

In a two week time period, my life turned upside down, like the Tarot Card depicting the fallen building, called appropriately enough the Tower. This card, along with others depicting a great future, showed up often during my anticipatory Wait. There were many prosperous messages sent by the Animal Kingdom...the Eagles and Hawks...and the Snowy Owl.

If he wasn't a messenger from the North, I don't know who is.

In two weeks, mountains were moved to facilitate this complete change in my life. Obstacles were non-existent...events flowed as smoothly and surely as River moves to the Sea.

Even the move is all taken care of...all I have to do is find a place that will be a home. In the middle of winter, where the landscape is covered by an easy foot of Snow. The garden in the Cariboo will be a little like opening a box of chocolates, when Spring arrives.

The Wheel of Fortune also came up often, during my Wait. Mountains were moved and Rivers were crossed easily and safely because the whole thing was fated to be.

I feel a deep urge to move to this place I have never visited. Something calls me, strongly enough to leave my family...a thing I never imagined I would do. But by flight, they are only an hour away. And there is a great airport at Williams Lake.

For the last two months, I have undertaken to purge our home of items no longer serving their purpose, with an urgency I cannot convey. Even as I did this, I wondered at it...I asked Why?

The answer came with a suddenness that defies description.

Who knew, two weeks ago, that my life would be taken by a giant Hand, and shown a different path?

20 comments:

  1. Wow! That looks beautiful. I will have to get out a map and see where Williams Lake is located.

    Make sure you equip yourself for living in the north. Block heaters for your cars, heating oil, emergency generators, winter clothes . . .

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  2. This is a big surprise and it's a great one. It sounds like you are looking forward to the adventure. Boy, I don't envy you trying to find a place to live in the coldest time of year but you have such a wonderful attitude, it will be as fine a time as any. I hope the dream of a bed and breakfast works out and the spring will bring lots of things to look forward to.

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  3. Marion,

    You have a busy time ahead, but it sounds like you done a good bit of preparation!

    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    BFF,
    Miss T

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  4. Anonymous7:20 p.m.

    What a beautiful post, Marion, and it does seem synchronous that you just pared down your belongings in time for this. Many blessings in your new adventure to a new home.

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  5. What an adventure. Good luck. I shall have to have a look where Williams Lake is and see what the surrounding countryside looks like. You have a busy time ahead and an exciting one too.
    Its interesting what you said about Llandaf Fields. Have a think about it, although I dont expect you will have time for things like that.

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  6. Wow! That sounds like Paradise Marion. Hope you have a smooth and succesful move and a wonderful very Happy Christmas and New Year in your new home.
    Sandy

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  7. Anonymous3:52 p.m.

    Williams Lake looks like a beautiful place to live - once you get used to the temperature! I wish you all the very best in finding your new home!

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  8. CC,

    I'm one of those people who only see the romantic positive side of things, lol...all those things you mentioned seem fairly mundane. And they seem to have a lot to do with cold...lol!

    Sheila,

    It wasn't too long ago when you were house hunting, so I know you remember well what a daunting task moving is. Sounded great to me when all, in this particular move, I had to do was find a place.

    That might not be as easy as I think. Seems to me all the houses in Williams Lake have 5 or 6 bedrooms! A little large for just the two of us, but something will turn up.

    I would prefer a guest cottage for the B and B; we will have to build one, it looks like.

    Miss T,

    Can't wait to put all those plans into action...the holidays have put a crimp into immediate action.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, as well!

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  9. Barbara,

    Thank you...I can't believe I'm moving North! I'll be an adventure, for sure...lifestyles are completely different in the Cariboo.

    Davem,

    I researched those fields, and came up with no reason why I feel I know the fountain and the fields. There is a Bishop of Llandaff dahlia, which I grow, but that's it!

    The fields and fountain sure look and feel familiar to me, though.

    Sandy,

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours, as well! I'm sure there will be down times and some homesickness, but overall, to me it is a terrific adventure.

    Simon,

    Thank you! I hope it will not take too long to acclimatize...guess it's all about those changes we were discussing.

    I hope all of you have a very safe and happy Christmas!

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  10. Williams Lake sounds like a wonderful area how you described it Marion. You obviously weren't fated to stay in your present house even though you do love your garden. I always think everything happens for a reason Marion. Now you have a new year and a whole new adventure to look forward to.

    P.S. Would like to wish you and Graham and your family a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2008. I hope next year brings lots of good health and happiness for you!

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  11. What an adventure!!! And you're just the lady to handle it with humor and wit.

    Merry Christmas!!!!

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  12. Williams Lake sounds wonderful. I hope you have a happy holidays.

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  13. Naomi,

    Thank you so much, and our best to you for Christmas and the New Year!

    I believe that is part of the anticipation...the finding out of the reason why. I find it fascinating!

    DB,

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, as well.

    We'll see about the humour and wit when I'm in the middle of the move, lol!

    Marsha,

    Merry Christmas to you, my friend...thanks for visiting! I will keep you posted about Williams Lake!

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  14. Marion, what a wonderful adventure. Williams Lake sounds awe inspiring. I can't wait to read about it.

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  15. Joe,

    I'm just on my way to spend a few days in Williams Lake, searching for a house. On my return, I will be posting photos...probably enough to bore you to tears, lol!

    We'll be back in a few days. In the meantime, I would like to wish everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  16. hope i'm not too late in wishing you merry christmas! hugs and loves your way! have a wonderful new year marion!

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  17. Moving north is it?
    I am happy for you. We must embrace change and adapt to the new, else we are but trees. I don't know who said that first, maybe me!!!
    I am looking forward to descriptions of your new life.

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  18. It was hard to keep "the secret" when you told me of the impending move. It appears as thing fell into place that this was, indeed, meant to be.

    I trust you will find the perfect spot to create a new home, where your new dreams can come true.

    Will look forward to hear more tales of your great adventure.

    Here's wish you a great '08!!

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  19. The universe does operate in ways that are different to the logical way we see things. Yet, in its own way the universe gives to us what we have asked for and what we think about. What a gift you have received! I know you will know what to do with all the new opportunities you have. It is always fun to start new things it keeps your spirit young. Keep us posted as you progress. Happy New Year !!!

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  20. From the photos on the Net is looks a beautiful place. Shame the website showed a rodeo instead (I despise them and didn't think they would appeal to Canadians).

    NASA has a few photos of the amazing auroras in the sky taken there.

    It will be a huge change for you but change is good and you will have so many wonderful places to explore and wildlife to see.

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